Origins of Government

Theory Power source Relationship between people and government

Force Physical strength or military

People serve the Government

Evolution Inherited- family People serve the Government

Divine Right GodPeople Serve the

Government

Social Contract The People

The Government serves the people

Thomas Hobbes- Enlightened English Philosopher

According to Hobbes. . .

man desires and pursues power in assure their self preservation (self interest).

when two or more people wanted the same thing, they will become enemies and compete, this is a state of war.

war is fought for gain, safety, or glory.

it is natural for man to be in a state of war.

power is given to an authority in order to unite the people and force them to cooperate with each other.

6 word summary

Player 2

Player 1

Self Interest

Self Interest

Cooperation

Cooperation

1, 1

O,3

3,0

2, 2

What enforces Cooperation?

Morals and Ethics? Reputation? Government and Laws? Self Interest?

Government (Authority/Power)

People(Freedom/Power)

Self Interest

Self Interest

Cooperation

Cooperation

Revolution Anarchy

Dictator

Constitution

Limited Government

BalancedEquilibrium

If Government consist of people and people are inherently seeking power, who enforces the cooperation?

Is there an eventual end?

The Supreme Court?, The States? The People? Self Interest?

The Social Contract

John Locke- Enlightened philosopher

Believed that man was free and was given natural rights from God- Life, Liberty, Property

Man created Government to protect his rights

If the Social Contract was broken revolution was justified

6 word summary

The Social Contract

The People The Government

The People- Give up some rights for protection. They follow laws and pay taxes. If they break the contract they give up more rights

The Government- meets the purposes of government, especially protection. If they break the contract they lose their position or are revolted against.

The Government serves the people but the people obey the government

Jean-Jacques Rousseau

Believed that . . .

man changed when he created society.

man substituted justice for instinct.

man consulted his reason before impulse.

man’s new state derived him some benefits that he got from nature but give him tremendous returns such as protection and happiness.

“Instead of a stupid and unimaginative animal, made him an intelligent being and a man.”

6 word summary

Player 2

Player 1

Stag

Stag

Rabbit

Rabbit

5, 5 0, 2

2, 0 1, 1

Nash Equilibrium - a group of players are in Nash equilibrium if each one is making the best decision that he or she can, taking into account the decisions of the others.

Stag Hunt

Government (Authority/Power)

People (Liberty/Power)

Cooperate

Cooperate

Self Interest

Self Interest

5, 5 0, 2

2, 0 1, 1

Nash Equilibrium - a group of players are in Nash equilibrium if each one is making the best decision that he or she can, taking into account the decisions of the others.

Stag Hunt

The Constitution is a coordinated documents

The Constitution is not contract that need to be enforced, it is more like a coordinated agreement between liberty and authority. It is in the best interest each player to both pursue their self interest and to limit their own self interest.

Justice

Equilibrium

Balance

Order

Unite

Provide

Protect

Securing Liberty

Life Liberty

Property

Authority

GovernmentGroupEquality

Liberty

Individual FreedomSelf Interest

So is Self Interest

A positive natural resource?- Adam Smith

Or

War?- Thomas Hobbes

Or something else?

Does the purpose of government compete with or cooperate with the purpose of any economic system?

The Preamble

Purpose of Economic Systems- To allocate scarce resources that have alternative uses to their most useful place.

Write 1 paragraph

Examples of Prisoner Dilemmas

Mitt vs Newt – Republic Primaries

Budget Crisis

Price wars

Paradox of thrift

Government and the people

Sports being a team member

Tragedy of the commons

TrafficFishing rightsClimate ResourcesCongress and spending

Types of Government

Where is the power located?

What is the relationship between the executive and legislative branch?

Who can participate ?

Where is the power located?Unitary- Government power found in one location.

Confederation- shared power between a loose friendship of states

Where is the power located?Federal system- a divison of power between a national (central) government and small state of local governments.

Central Government

S S S S S

Let our government be like that of the solar system. Let the general government be like the sun and the states the planets, repelled yet attracted, and the whole moving regularly and harmoniously in several orbits.” — John Dickinson (Delaware Delegate), 1787

What is the relationship between the executive and legislative branch?

Presidential- Lawmakers and law enforcers are separated.

Parliamentary- Lawmakers and law enforcers are together in the same branch.

Who can participate ?

Democracy- The people, either directly voting or voting for a representative

Dictatorship- The government is not responsible for the people

Totalitarian- Dictator with total control of society.

Democracy

Equality for all people

Majority rules, minority rights

Necessity for Compromise

Individual freedom

Worth of the Individual